16/17 weeks - all is well!

Hi! After spending 10 days in Estes Park "working" at Burn camp with 85 amazing burn survivors, we were able to go to our 16 week appointment. It was a nice, quick visit. The nurse practitioner used the Doppler to listen to the heartbeat (I did not disclose that we had one at home :) and she also said she could hear a lot of movement. Just like at our 12 week visit, it sounds like this kid is a mover! I can't feel the movements yet, though a couple of time over the past few days, I think I can feel some little flutters, but not totally sure. I can't wait for that day!! I also had to give blood for the quad screen, which is a test that predicts the chances of a few different disorders. I can only assume that everything will be fine, but have not received the results yet. We also set the date for our next visit, which is the big 20 week ultrasound and most importantly, the day we will find out the gender!!! We have that appointment on September 21st! It can't come soon enough. Paul and I both think girl, and at our last visit the NP told me that the mother's instinct has been shown to be correct 75% of the time...so we'll see!! We don't have much else to report. We will be staying busy the next few weeks. I head to MT next weekend to spend the long Labor day weekend with my family at our cabin in Red Lodge, while Paul will be staying for his very important football drafts! We hope you are all doing well, too!!

Here is the setting I was lucky enough to spend 10 fabulous days in...





As far as the belly goes...it is definitely growing, but I think only noticeable if you know me! I doubt that a stranger on the street would even take notice.



But, if you look at this comparison, you can definitely tell.
Here was 14 weeks...



And, here is towards the end of 16 weeks...



However, when I sent this 16 week baby bump picture to my parents, my dad said it could very well just be a Big Mac bump! If you know my dad, this should not surprise you! Well, the next update should be an exciting one! Hope to be able to share some ultrasound pictures and the gender!!!

Oh, wait...just one more picture. Our poor child is going to be so confused!!!

14 weeks and finally feeling better!

I am starting to believe that you do, actually, feel better the second trimester! I don't feel normal, I'm not sure I will ever get back to that, but feel functional again. I can still wear my clothes, but have to admit to unbuttoning a few pair of pants over the past week. I can get them buttoned, but the pressure, especially if I am sitting, is getting very uncomfortable! I also have to admit, I've had a few weak, neurotic moments over the past few weeks, and actually ordered a fetal doppler monitor to hear the baby's heartbeat. Trust me, if it calms my nerves, everyone will be happy! Anyway, it came today and it worked!!! Here is a picture of the cool monitor. The heart rate fluctuated between 157-160 BPM (more support for my girl theory!). A little video is below. It is pretty cool to hear!





This is my other splurge purchase...my new Coach diaper bag :) And, I love it! It will still be functional post-diaper bag duties.



I leave in a week to spend 10 days up in the beautiful mountains of Estes Park "working" at The Children's Hospital Burn Camp (for burn survivors ages 7-18). This is my 4th year and my favorite week of the year. I will surely get some good exercise there! I'm guessing rock climbing will be out this year...darn! As soon as I get back, we get to go in for our 16 week appointment. Time is flying already! Since I am gone for over a week and a half, Paul will be keeping himself busy by flying back to Pittsburgh to visit family the first weekend, and the following weekend, his brother Adam will be flying in from Chicago. They will inevitably drink a lot of beer, visit multiple breweries, and get to go to a pre-season football game, yes a BRONCOS football game :) ok, I dislike nothing more than baring my mid-section, especially since I have not really worked out since about February, but here it is...14 weeks. Definitely a little poochy!



Well, the next time we post will be after our 16 week visit! I am sure we will have more fun pics/info to share then!